The G-20 Summit, hosted in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022, concluded with the issuance of the Bali Declaration, a joint statement representing the collective commitments of member countries towards addressing global issues. However, a controversy has arisen over Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the declaration, which pertain to the war in Ukraine. Russia and China have opposed the language used in these paragraphs, leading to a lack of consensus among the partner countries and raising concerns about the future of the G-20’s consensus-based approach.
The Bali Declaration
The G-20 Summit, held in Bali under Indonesia’s presidency, marked the end of the country’s yearlong leadership of the group. The Bali Declaration served as a comprehensive summary of the member countries’ commitments towards various global challenges. Key areas of focus included financial stability, humanitarian crises, poverty alleviation, and aid to least developed nations. The declaration aimed to provide a roadmap for resolving critical issues that affect the world.
Paragraphs 3 and 4: The Ukraine Conflict
Paragraph 3 of the Bali Declaration specifically addressed the war in Ukraine and its impact on the global economy. However, at the time of the summit, there was no indication of any differing opinions on these paragraphs. Russia and China objected to the inclusion of points condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its adverse effects on the global economy during the G-20 finance ministers and foreign ministers’ meetings. As a result of their opposition, the G-20 leaders failed to release a joint communique on both occasions.
Economic Fragilities and Insecurity
Paragraph 3 attributed existing global economic fragilities, such as increasing inflation, supply chain disruptions, and growing food and energy insecurity, to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These economic challenges have far-reaching implications for the stability of the global economy and underscored the significance of finding a consensus-based approach to address the situation.
Humanitarian Concerns and Conflict Resolution
In Paragraph 4 of the Bali Declaration, the focus shifted to the humanitarian aspects of the Ukraine conflict. It emphasized the need to address the usage of weapons and explore peaceful modes of conflict resolution. This paragraph sought to raise awareness of the human cost of the war and to encourage concerted efforts to find a lasting resolution.
India’s Role and the “Chairman’s Summary and Outcomes Documents”
As the host of the G-20 Summit, India has been caught in a difficult position due to the disagreement between Russia, China, and the rest of the member countries. Instead of issuing a Joint Communiqué, which would reflect the collective consensus of all G-20 members, India has been compelled to release a series of “Chairman’s Summary and Outcomes Documents.” These documents attempt to highlight the key points of agreement while downplaying the contentious issues. However, this approach raises concerns about the effectiveness and credibility of the G-20’s consensus-based decision-making process.
The Future of G-20’s Consensus-Based Approach
The G-20 has historically operated on a consensus-based model, allowing member countries to collectively address global challenges and find common ground. However, the dispute over the Bali Paragraphs has exposed the limitations of this approach when significant disagreements arise between influential members. The inability to issue a Joint Communiqué reflects the challenges of finding common solutions to complex issues when core interests diverge.